Victor Ozhianvuna has taken another stride in what is already shaping into a remarkable year, helping the Republic of Ireland reach the last sixteen of the Under-17 World Cup after a tense win over Canada in Doha.
The 16-year-old, who will join Arsenal in January 2027, held his nerve during a marathon 9-8 penalty shoot-out as Colin O’Brien’s side edged past opponents who had dragged the tie to spot kicks with a late equaliser.
This Irish team have been one of the tournament’s more compelling stories. They came into the knockout round on the back of confident group-stage performances, with Ozhianvuna making his World Cup debut against Panama and showing glimpses of the composure that initially drew Arsenal to him.
In the Canada match, he was again part of a hard-working performance on the flank, combining with Jaden Umeh while Michael Noonan, Ireland’s outstanding player of the tournament, put them ahead shortly after the hour.
Canada levelled late on through Sergei Kozlovskiy, and from there everything came down to nerve.
The decisive moment belonged to goalkeeper Alex Noonan, who saved from Elijah Roche to send Ireland through.
For Arsenal, this is further confirmation of Ozhianvuna’s temperament. The club have already secured his signature, with the deal finalised in October, but cannot bring him over until he turns 18 under current post-Brexit regulations.
Until then, he will remain with Shamrock Rovers, where he has developed into one of Ireland’s most technically promising midfielders.
Ireland now face Switzerland in the last 16, with the level rising again, but Ozhianvuna will expect to feature.